New figures released by the Environment Agency have shown that Severn Trent Water which covers much of our area, discharged sewage into waterways for a staggering 440,446 hours last year, a 77% on 2022.

Willenhall Liberal Democrats are calling for tougher action against sewage dumping in local rivers, including replacing Ofwat with a tougher regulator. The party has also called for a ban on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have dumped sewage into waterways.

Unsurprisingly Conservative MPs have consistently voted against measures which would have helped to tackle the crisis.

Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Willenhall, Ian Shires said:

“It is a complete scandal that filthy sewage is being pumped into our rivers and waterways.

“It’s beggars belief that Conservative MPs have allowed water firms to get away with this environmental vandalism. Local people are furious that Conservative politicians blocked tougher action on these disgraced firms.

“The Liberal Democrats are calling for tougher action to stop sewage being dumped in local rivers including replacing OfWat with a regulator that has real teeth to clamp down on these polluting firms. We have also called for a ban on bonuses for water company fat cats whose firms have pumped filth into our waterways.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The latest Environment Agency data can be found here. https://bitly.ws/3gWvn

Conservative MPs who voted against tougher action on sewage can be found here. (If voted ‘aye’ it means that the MP voted to allow sewage dumping). https://bitly.ws/3gWvG

Published and promoted by M. Dixon on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, 1 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PN.